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Hasan Piker says UK has barred him, trashes 'unbelievable...power' of pro-Israel groups
Hasan Piker faces a turbulent week after a Treasury subpoena over his Cuba trip, heckling at a Newark protest and a reported UK travel ban.
AMD Bundles Carbice Ice Pad with Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Carbice, a U.S.-based developer and supplier of next-generation carbon nanotube thermal interface materials (TIMs) and high-performance cooling solutions, today announced that the Carbice Ice Pad is shipping with the relaunched special edition 10th Anniversary AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D chip. The bundle br...
Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra announced with NVIDIA RTX Spark chip
Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra gets NVIDIA RTX Spark 15-inch Surface uses NVIDIA's Arm-based PC processor. Microsoft has revealed the Surface Laptop
Pro-Trump candidate to face Petro ally in Colombia presidential runoff election after surprising performance
In a surprisingly strong performance, right-wing outsider candidate Abelardo de la Espriella will face leftist candidate senator Iván Cepeda in a runoff to decide Colombia’s presidency, setting the stage for a battle over Colombia’s political future and the direction of its relationships with key international partners, including the United States.
Bengals’ Best Move of the Offseason is a No-Brainer
The Bengals are heading into the 2026 season with some new faces.
Cory Booker Has ‘Concerns’ About Platner Revelations in Maine Senate Race
Mr. Booker and other Senate Democrats faced questions Sunday about reports that Mr. Platner’s wife previously told his campaign he had exchanged sexual messages with women outside his marriage.
Way-too-early 2026 Bucs game preview: New Orleans Saints
We look ahead to the season finale for the Bucs in Week 18 when they face the New Orleans Saints.
Apple Glasses Reportedly Launching in 'Late 2027' With These Features
Apple is now aiming to release its first smart glasses in "late 2027," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Meta Ray-Bans He previously said that Apple planned to begin shipping the glasses by early 2027, but he said the product has faced development delays. The glasses will feature "oval-shaped cameras, unique colors, and multiple frame styles," according to Gurman.
Transcript: Sen. Chris Murphy on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 31, 2026
The following is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 31, 2026.
Tech industry mutating before our eyes
High-tech 2026 looks completely different from what we knew just a few years ago. Fewer management layers, fewer large teams, and a great deal more automation.
Max Gordon enters race for Pittsford town supervisor
He will face current Town Supervisor Bill Smith, who has served in the role since 2014.
You’re an ‘Avatar in a VR Game,’ Scientist Claims—Meaning Reality Isn’t What It Seems
Donald Hoffman’s interface theory claims space-time may be more like a VR dashboard than reality itself—and some physics may point the same way.
New solar desalination breakthrough makes fresh water without toxic brine
Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine. Special laser-textured metal panels use sunlight to evaporate water while automatically moving salt deposits away from the working surface, preventing clogging. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries.
A quantum metasurface breakthrough could finally close the terahertz gap
Researchers have developed a compact quantum detector that makes terahertz radiation much easier to detect. A specially designed metasurface funnels incoming energy into tiny active regions, greatly strengthening the electrical signal produced. The approach boosted efficiency by roughly 20 times compared to earlier designs and could pave the way for more practical THz devices in healthcare, communications, and scientific research.
Chinese scientists leave posts after whistle-blower raises alarm over their work
The trio faced heightened scrutiny after a former doctoral student and blogger known as Student Geng raised questions about their work.
GOP’s Bill Cassidy faces new decisions on bucking Trump
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) finds himself in a unique position: scorned by President Trump and out of the running for reelection, but still in charge of the highly influential Senate health committee…
Xavier Becerra faces attack, some unwarranted, from Washington
Gubernatorial rivals, led by Democrat Tom Steyer, have made Becerra's years in the Biden Cabinet a focus of attacks. While there's certainly room for criticism, there seems to be some axes being ground.
Pete Buttigieg is becoming a prolific endorser of Democrats, with some clues to his future
Shawn Harris is aware of the political bind he faces in northwest Georgia.
Spurs' Dylan Harper Comments on Facing Knicks in NBA Finals
San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper grew up a fan of the New York Knicks and will now face off against them in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday’s primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom
Wild serendipity connects Victor Wembanyama’s finals appearance to Tim Duncan
As the Knicks and Spurs face off, New York encounters a serendipitous occurrence with Victor Wembanyama that links them to 1999.
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday's primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday's primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
San Antonio Spurs advance to NBA Finals, ousting reigning champion Thunder
Victor Wembanyama had a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds in the win for San Antonio, which will now face the New York Knicks in an NBA Finals rematch from 27 years ago.
‘Love Island USA’ Cast Member Dismissed Ahead Of Season 8 After Videos Surface Of Contestant Using Racial Slur
A Love Island USA cast member has been dismissed from the reality dating show just days ahead of its eighth season premiere following resurfaced videos in which the contestant used a racial slur. Vasa...
Tatis homers, but Padres undone by Nationals' six-run seventh
Through the first six innings Michael King was cruising.With less than 70 pitches through the first six innings, the San Diego Padres starter had kept the Washington Nationals in check, but a six-run seventh inning flipped the game on its head as the hosts won 9-4 on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park.Fernando Tatis Jr, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado all had solo home runs for the Padres (32-25), as King left with the bases loaded having faced four batters in the seventh and plunking Nation
When used in the ‘wild’ conditions of the real world, large language AI stumbles
Asking medical questions of AI with language spoken “in the wild”—meaning with consumer-level LLM prompts—brings back answers with decidedly mediocre accuracy—76%—a new study shows.
Club sports foster competition and community at UNC
For many students, coming to college means leaving behind the sport that once filled their afternoons, shaped their weekends and gave them a place to belong. At UNC, club sports offer a way back in.
Trump set to headline ‘Great American State Fair’ after artists drop out over ties
An upcoming celebration of America's 250th anniversary, called "The Great American State Fair," has faced challenges as several musical guests backed out due to its connections to President Donald Trump.
Trump set to headline 'Great American State Fair' after artists drop out over ties
An upcoming celebration of America's 250th anniversary, called "The Great American State Fair," has faced challenges as several musical guests backed out due to its connections to President Donald Trump.
Seahawks face worrying Sam Darnold question despite Super Bowl win
This is a real problem for the Seahawks in 2026 with their quarterback.
Iowa Democrats face tough Senate primary choice in effort to flip GOP seat
Iowa Democrats face a difficult choice between two similar candidates in a high-stakes Senate primary amid a tough GOP landscape.
Champions League final: Arsenal take on holders PSG in Budapest
Follow live text coverage and radio commentary as Arsenal face Paris St-Germain in Champions League final.
GOP's anti-"woke" playbook faces ultimate test in Texas
James Talarico is a test of whether Democrats can finally escape the ghosts of 2020.
Slot sacked
Liverpool's ownership has issued a joint statement confirming the decision to dismiss head coach Arne Slot. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.
Scoop: First Windows PCs powered by Nvidia chips to debut next week
The chips will appear in Microsoft Surface computers and PCs from other manufacturers.
Science news this week: Exploding rocket overshadows NASA's next steps to the moon, 'Doomsday Glacier' faces big loss, quantum computer AI hybrid shows impressive results, and war deepens Iran's water crisis
May 30, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend
Senate Republicans face a political knife-edge over Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund
They can back the president's fund to benefit his allies or defy a commander-in-chief who just ended the careers of two Republican senators.
On Lou Gehrig Day in baseball and the politics of medical research in 2026 [column]
“For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
Dodgers vs. Phillies game I chat
The Dodgers (36-20) face off with the red hot Philadelphia Phillies (29-27) on Friday night at Dodger Stadium in the opener of a three-game weekend series. Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) starts for the Dodgers. Zack Wheeler (4-0, 1.67 ERA, 0.82 WHIP) takes the mound for Philly. Lineups Friday game info
4 toughest opponents for Seahawks QB Sam Darnold in 2026
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is set to face four elite defenses in 2026 as he looks to help Seattle defend its Super Bowl win from last season.
Newsom’s climate rules bend to gas price politics
California is changing its climate policies in the face of affordability concerns as Gavin Newsom looks toward 2028.
Lisett Hanewicz re-elected to St. Pete City Council without opposition
'Serving St. Petersburg has been one of the great privileges of my life. I remain committed to working hard for the people of our city.'
Scrapped CGM sensors stolen, sold to patients—Dexcom pledges to hold thieves accountable
The devices were set aside to be scrapped before they were stolen. Now, patients could be using them and not even know it.
Scientists develop 'smart paint' that reflects 97% of sunlight and could reduce AC use during heatwaves
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense around the world, scientists are exploring new ways to keep buildings cool without increasing energy consumption. Researchers at the University of Sydney, working with startup Dewpoint Innovations, have developed a nano-engineered coating that reflects up to 97% of sunlight and stays significantly cooler than conventional surfaces.
A recap of UNC's spring sports
From record-breaking performances to deep postseason runs, UNC once again showcased its strength across collegiate athletics during the spring season. Here’s a look back at how UNC’s spring sports teams fared this season.
Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition leaked, first details and screenshots
Rayman leaks are springing up all over, and now one has happened for the unannounced Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition. The title has surfaced over on the Xbox store. Ubisoft calls it the “definitive experience” with “4K resolution, 60 FPS, and modern enhancements, including new quality-of-life features.” The full description is as follows: When the Glade of Dreams is overrun by...
SAPT after TAVR linked to key benefits over DAPT, new data confirm
All-cause survival after six months was significantly higher for patients discharged on DAPT than SAPT. That trend remained in place after 24 months.
FDA sees potential in new AI software for monitoring heart failure patients
The software-only platform helps clinicians keep track of patients when they are at their most vulnerable.
FDA shares another warning about Impella heart pumps after death
The FDA is once again warning the public about a safety issue with certain Impella heart pumps.
There's A New AC Cobra Coupe, And It's A $537,000 Lump Of Carbon Fiber With Tires As Thin As Rubber Bands
There's a new supercar on the road, and it's a new face on an old idea. This is the new AC Cobra coupe, and it costs $537,000 and has 799 HP.
Microsoft teases new Surface hardware and ‘a new era of PC’
The teasers point to Computex and Build announcements next week.
‘This epidemic faces other serious complications’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
Trump holds Situation Room meeting to decide on Iran deal
Trump faced a politically fraught decision to enter an agreement that would invariably require significant concessions to Tehran.
National Science Foundation reportedly imposed rare funding freeze on Duke for nearly 2 months
According to an exclusive report in Nature, the NSF’s Office of Award Management placed a hold on new funding April 9 to Duke, Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Since publication of their article, some grants have been released to Duke.
Treasury pushes for $250 bill featuring Trump’s face
Currently, no living person can legally appear on U.S. tender
America First’s New Health Deals Face Key Tests
Critics argue the transition is unfolding too quickly for fragile states already under strain.
Europa may not vent water into space after all
The debate could reopen in 2030 when NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft gets the closest view of the icy moon’s surface.
Champions League Finalists Arsenal, PSG Worth Combined $10B+
Global soccer heavyweights Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain face off Saturday in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary. They are both chasing history, with Arsenal looking for its first top-tier European crown, and PSG eyeing back-to-back titles, something only Real Madrid has accomplished since the tournament was rebranded as Champions League in 1992. The game …
Pam Bondi will face a closed-door questioning from House lawmakers over the Epstein files
The transcribed Bondi interview will give lawmakers a chance to dig for information on the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files and other related matters, including the prison sentence of Epstein's former girlfriend and confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The $900 Billion Giant: How Anthropic Got So Big, So Fast
The artificial intelligence giant was just valued at $900 billion, surpassing OpenAI. Here are the numbers behind its rise — and headwinds it faces.
"We're determined to win justice for the 31 fired workers" - Rockstar Games workers publicly launch union, as legal battle with the GTA 6 maker rages on
Developers at GTA 6 maker Rockstar Games have announced a union known as the Rockstar Game Workers Union, a subsidiary of the IWGB.
Bondi to face closed-door questioning from House committee over Epstein files
Lawmakers to have fresh chance to dig for information on Trump’s administration’s handling of issue by grilling former attorney-general
Opinion | It’s time for a new business plan for Minneapolis
The City Council seems more focused on niche interests and short-term fixes right now than in addressing the significant long-term economic issues the city faces, Matt Hemsley writes.
Mullin plan to punish sanctuary jurisdictions by targeting their airports faces fierce headwinds
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is getting pushback for his idea to pull resources from airports in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Sky Sports: Liverpool star set to leave this summer after contract U-turn
Konate Exit Looms as Liverpool Face a Summer of UncertaintyLiverpool supporters have spent much of the past few weeks looking ahead, eager to see how the club responds after a frustrating 2025/26 camp...
Philips partners with Disney to incorporate iconic characters in MRI exams
The Amsterdam-based imaging manufacturer said it will utilize beloved animated characters and stories as part of the Philips Ambient Experience.
Downtime: Business coach Nhat Pham pulls off 55-minute plank on 55th birthday
Pham spent nearly an hour of his 55th birthday face-down on his elbows and toes, in a pushup-like position called a plank pose, for a physical challenge that doubled to promote Mental Health Awareness Month.
Primary care as public utility: Imagine that, researchers urge
A team of healthcare scholars is making U.S. states an offer they hope the border-defined polities won’t refuse: If you’ll pay for the reinvention of primary care, we’ll help sell the public on the rightness of measured, state-level efforts to preserve the profession.
'Top-notch care': WakeMed leaders say Atrium Health merger is best move for hospital's future
The proposed partnership between WakeMed and Atrium Health faced tough questions during its final listening session. Some worry the merger could drive up health care costs for patients and taxpayers statewide, but the people involved in the deal say it's the best move for the future of the hospital.
Former Gov. Gregoire warns Washington faces 'critical point’ on taxes, jobs, business
The report also warned of rising labor costs, longer permitting timelines, growing regulation and declining affordability.
Blistering report exposes how national K-12 group's DEI agenda is trickling down to local chapters
The National PTA faces scrutiny over DEI initiatives and left-wing political priorities allegedly trickling down to state and local school chapters and ultimately reaching students.
JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix face a brutal NFL reality
The NFL is constantly changing, and if you're a young, inexperienced quarterback in the league, it is changing for the worse. NFL organized team activities kicked off this week for most teams, so we are getting our first glimpses of veteran quarterbacks in new places, like Kyler Murray in Minnesota ...
By Restricting Girls' Education, Afghanistan Faces Future with Fewer Teachers, Health Workers — UNICEF
A UNICEF Innocenti report warns continued restrictions on girls’ education and women’s labor force participation are weakening the country.
Preview: Expectations mount for UNC's Fall sports in 2026
Dubbed “the University of National Champions,” with 52 team national titles across eight different sports, UNC athletics has long been defined by excellence and expectation. Heading into the 2026 season, here’s a look at some of UNC’s most renowned programs.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 codenames suggest there will be a new Classic this year
Despite recent rumors to the contrary, it looks like we may get a Galaxy Watch 9 Classic this year, after all.
Spurs vs. Thunder score: Live updates from Game 6 as OKC tries to advance to NBA Finals
Reigning champ OKC is one win from making it back to the Finals to face the Knicks, while the Spurs want to stay alive on their home floor
How to use ambient AI in healthcare as litigious winds begin to blow: 10 tips from experienced attorneys
As a class-action lawsuit gets rolling in California over the use of ambient AI in healthcare, a national law firm is drawing takeaways for hospitals and other provider organizations. Makes sense: All AI-equipped providers are potential targets for similar litigation now.
Tennessee, Lipscomb ready for NCAA baseball tourney openers
Bisons will battle Mississippi State for fourth time this season while Vols will face East Carolina
James Talarico Said God Is Nonbinary. What Does the Bible Say?
Republicans have pounced on an old statement as they seek to make gender politics the focus of the Senate campaign.
What’s next for Microsoft’s Surface PCs?
The future of Surface looks like a much smaller lineup of devices.
Rural Health Transformation: Insights from States
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will provide $50 billion to states over the next five years to transform rural health care. States received award decisions in late 2025 and are moving fast, with funding deadlines and reporting requirements already on the horizon. This program is rolling out as rural areas face significant federal Medicaid cuts over the next decade. What does this mean for Congress? Join the Bipartisan … Continued
“Sets an entirely new benchmark for portable, affordable audio interfaces”: SSL just released its cheapest audio interface yet
The SSL 1 is a 2-in/2-out device that comes at a very tempting price
BUSINESS MATTERS: Beauty by Kort brings hair services to Midland
Get to know Kortnea Bloomfield, the face behind Beauty by Kort.
Caesars Entertainment, a Las Vegas Strip icon, is sold for $6 billion
Caesars faces mounting pressure as fewer visitors to Las Vegas — its core market — dent revenue at resorts, hotels and casinos.
Samsung’s wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 hardware leaks in hands-on [Gallery]
The leaks continue, as Samsung’s new and wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 has just surfaced in a hardware hands-on with...
Ireland vs Qatar: How to Watch, Prediction, Odds, Friendly Preview
Republic of Ireland faces Qatar in an international friendly. Here’s how to watch, team form, betting odds and more.
iOS 27 leak reveals new Siri design, Camera app, more
New images from Bloomberg today reveal our first look at Apple’s redesigned Siri interface coming with iOS 27. The illustrations,...
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
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